Chapter 3
When Sean joined Roger and Stephen in the hallway, their flashlights cut through the darkness and guided them to the family’s room.
“Do you have a generator?” Sean asked.
“We do, but it’s not working,” Roger answered. “I hadn’t expected the first storm of the season to be so early. Or a blizzard, for that matter.”
Last night’s storm was an anomaly for this time of year, but weather was growing more unpredictable each season.
“Tell me more about the girl,” Sean said, as they walked.
“The parents are Roman and Judy Grayson,” Roger said. “They are a bit shaken up, as you can imagine.”
“Have you called local law enforcement?” Sean asked.
“I have, but the situation is…complicated,” Roger answered.
“What’s complicated about making a phone call?” Sean asked, but before the hotel manager could reply, a woman rushed out of her room and into the hall.
Caught in the harsh glow of the flashlights, the woman resembled a frightened deer on the highway. Her large, round eyes were bloodshot from crying and filled with panic.
“Mrs. Grayson, this is Sheriff Callahan,” Roger said.
Sean extended his hand in greeting, but Judy Grayson yanked Sean inside her hotel room, pulling him by the arm.
The Graysons’ room was significantly larger than Sean and Jennie’s room. There was a living area with couches and tables, a kitchenette, and two bedrooms. They’d set up candles to provide light, the flickering flames casting shifting shadows along the walls.
Roman Grayson stood in the center of the living room, staring down at a piece of paper on the coffee table, arms crossed, tapping his foot at a jackrabbit’s pace, and oblivious to Sean’s presence.
“We accidentally touched it,” Judy said, voice trembling. “I didn’t realize what it was when I saw it on her bed. I hope I didn’t taint any DNA or fingerprints or something.”
“I’m sure it’s fine,” Sean said calmly, and then he approached the table, Roman still silent as Sean took a closer look at the note.
The paper was folded over, its content hidden, but it was addressed to Roman Grayson. Sean found it curious that Judy’s name had been omitted.
“Mr. Grayson,” Roger said, clearing his throat. “This is Sheriff Callahan. He works over in Deerfield County.
Sean reached for the letter, prompting Roman to speak finally.
“Shouldn’t you put on gloves for that or something?” Roman asked.
“I’ll be careful,” Sean answered.
Dear Roman,
I have your daughter.
Ten million is the price for her return.
Further instructions will be sent.
If the money is not received by sundown today, your daughter will die.
No name was signed at the bottom; instead, the author had left a red stain.
It was blood.
But who the blood belonged to, either the victim or the kidnapper, remained to be seen.
“Who would do something like that?” Judy Grayson asked. “Our little girl… She’s done nothing wrong.”
Sean had no doubt about their daughter’s innocence, but that didn’t mean the parents weren’t guilty. Nine times out of ten, a child’s disappearance was linked to a family member or close friend. But considering the ransom note, other factors were also at play.
The Grayson family was staying in the presidential suite. Sean had seen the prices for a single night in this room when he booked the trip, and one night would have been three months’ salary.
Between the Rolex on Roman Grayson’s wrist and the massive diamond on Judy’s wedding band, Sean didn’t think the family was hurting for money.
“Well, Sheriff?” Roman asked, a clear edge in his voice. “What are we supposed to do?”
Sean was caught between candlelight and shadow, the focus of everyone’s gaze, and the brunt of a chill that came from more than just the loss of power.
“Roger informed me that you’ve already searched the hotel grounds,” Sean said.
“What we need to do next is wake up the other guests and collect the staff, then we’ll give local law enforcement a call.
Since we’re in Jefferson County, this would be Sheriff Johnson’s jurisdiction.
We’ll want them out here for forensics and to help with the search and recovery. ”
“Well, getting them out here is going to be a problem,” Roger said.
“Why’s that?” Sean asked.
Roger walked toward the nearest window, which had the curtain pulled shut, and when he opened it, Sean had his answer.
They were snowed in.